Sunday, September 25th- For Every Season Turn...Turn..Turn

It's been a month and a change of season since we last blogged.  Instead of gettin' pictures taken and downloaded...the perfect themes outlined at least in my mind...it ain't goin' to happen so "just write" as a variation of the Nike slogan.

Last Sunday, Jason, Lucas and I (Dave) went to the Ukraine Heritage Festival in NE Mpls at the Ukraine Cultural Center.  While the Vikes we're getting beat a mile away, we all sampled, for a moment, life in Ukraine, especially Jason.  All afternoon there was Ukraine dance, singing and entertainment in the hall and under the tent outside on a cool, drizzly day.  Jason loved getting cabbage rolls, perogi's and I the bortsch.  Their were games and friends because the Boehrs and Landrys came with their sons Nathan and Kirill.

We also thought of friends who left only a month earlier and some are now in the final throes of adoption because their new parents are in Kyiv to bring their children home.  The Andersons bringing home Georgiy and the Reshetars bringing home Sasha.  While Jason's friends Adrej and sister Anzehlica are awaiting their new MN family (who connected with the children in the last few days of their hosting stay in MN mid-August).  The Kristensens of Duluth are also in Ukraine finalizing their adoption of Tanya and Kolya,  The Hills from CT, dear friends we met in March in Kyiv, return after their 10 day waiting period to bring their Natasha home. 

There are varying stories and challenges for some families in the process. I've always said to our prayer partners nothing is a done deal 'til Jeanne and Jason are back in MN...izz not OK...izz Ukraine  Let's say...each of these families need that diligent prayer to overcome unexpected obstacles or prevent them from occurring.  Please pray for them and their families.

The festival was a wonderful reconnection to Ukraine culture as well as with friends.

Fall is here in MN as crops are harvested, leaves are changing, birds are migrating, apples are ripe for pickin', football and school time as well as earlier darkness and cool evenings.

It was 6 weeks ago we said goodbuye to our friend and host son Bob from China.  All 3 boys had a wonderful time doing life for his brief 10 days with us. We had gone to the lake a couple times in August  plus Labor Day Weekend. Lucas and Jason love the water and beach...swimming, playing, paddleboating, fishing and of course, tubing.  LD Weekend you could smell and feel the shift in season in the air.  It was great to have Bour and Zuzek cousins there and a bonfires and s'mores at night.  We pulled the shore knowing it would be difficult to return with Jason in soccer.

A month ago, we visited Grandpa Tony and Grandma Lorraine at their log home in Yankton (SD) along the Missouri River at Lewis and Clark National Park.  It is a damed lake on the river with beautiful, high sandstone sheared bluffs.  We all had a great weekend and so enjoyed the time with each other whether BBQ-ing on the deck, boatin' & tubin', playing at the beach and park or the boys "crusin' for chicks" with Grandpa Tony in his 2-seater BMW.  Grandpa Tony suggested it one night while taking the boys for a ride in the "cool car" they begged to be in.  He then asked the boys, "You know what chicks are, don't you?"  And my son knowledgable Lucas said, "Sure Grandpa, they're baby chickens!"  Aaaaaaah, right answer, son.  With Jason...he was onboard with that answer to....aaaaaah, lost in translation...right answer, son.

The biggest decision Jeanne and I sought the Lord about and received July 21st (our deadline to finish praying and come together on what we heard) was about educating our sons at home.  What we both heard from the Lord and then shared with one another was "Yes."  So, we notified our sons just before the trip to Yankton.  The Lord was really speaking to us about instilling our (Christian) values especially because he had 11 years of someone or some instititutes or country's values established in Jason.  We knew we had a precious couple years at best (before him becoming a more independent teen) to instill our values and could ill afford losing 6 hours a day to school (public, private or charter) who would not accurately or diligently instill our values.  The decision became real clear and that both boys would be educated at home because one going and the other not didn't make sense.

Jeanne attended a conference conducted by M.A.C.H.E. (MN Assoc'n of Christian Home Educators).  What a first-class organization with a ton of high standard educational resources.  We also belong to a Christian Co-op KNEEL where up to a 100 children several days a month gather for classes (e.g., science, cultural studies, gym, etc.) and field trips.  We've found a new "world" full of awesome, high quality resources. We also received much support including the principal at our local elementary school where we have access to classes (e.g., music, gym, ELL, etc.) if we so desire.  The boys embraced home school when they were told and after three weeks, Jeanne is doing an excellent job and the boys are in a good flow.  We already see the fruit of home schooling from both a values and an academic perspective. 

But what about socializing...really...there's not much in any school or else you get in trouble.  There's also only 15 minutes of recess a day at public school. To sooth those concerns of others, no worries...here's wassup:

• Still playing with neighbor kids
• Still playing with friends Lucas's made from 3 years of school
• Jason playing soccer with a great group of boys
• Lucas in cub scouts...3rd year with same boys...1st Den Meeting Monday
• Jason in J-Hi youth group...this is awesome for establishing his faith in the Lord and he loves it
• Jason in 6th grade boys life group...more of above...really begining to make friendships only after 3 times
• Lucas in Tae Kwon Do (sp?)
• Lucas in GRIME (God Rocks In ME--cool boys ministry Wed nights)...3rd year with same boys
• Lucas in Christmas Musical...3rd year and with his buddies
• Lucas and Jason becomin' best friends and hangin' out & playing all the time
• Family activities with grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins
• Friends being made at KNEEL Co-op

I think we're GTG on the socializing and I'm thankful for it all.  That's it for our transition from summer to fall...for every season...turn, turn, turn.

Monday, August 22, 2011 fiNaL sLicES oF sUMmEr LiFE

Ugh! Summer's comin' to an end.  It's been a great summer...and still is!  We've been heading to the cabin/lake every other week.  Bob, our summer exchange student, spent 10 days with us to finish out July.  It was a great experience for all of us, especially Lucas, Jason and Bob.

Bob has cool electronics like his I-Pad.

At Vacation Bible Study.

Playin' cut-throat Uno...Lots of laughs.

 Bob also taught the boys how to use chop sticks.

Lucas had Summer Stage camp at the Eagan HS Theater followed by Showtime camp which ended in a hour plus long performance.  We were proud of him.  he did a great job acting, singing and dancing to songs like "Help" and "We are the Champions."  All four groups of kids from little to big were great.

Jason tried out for Spring Travel Soccer for the Eagan Wave.  Dad and Jason practiced some.  He really enjoyed  the 2nd night much better after getting over the 1st night try-out jitters.  The coach invited him  and the other boys to a Saturday morning pick-up game for fun.  Jason did very well since he was very relaxed.  He also made some friends.  He's now started Fall soccer in-house league.  Met a friend tonight.

The children from Jason's orphanage came August 10th for 19 days.  The Reshetars were happy to see their Sasha who they're adopting and going to Ukraine to do so in September.  As well, the Andersons were estatic to see their Georgiy who they'll be adopting as they also journey to Kyiv in September too.

Andrey and Anjelica (siblings) also arrived.  They're great kids.  URGENT REQUEST HERE...their host family will not be adopting them so with only days left...many of us are trying to have these children meet a potential forever family.  Call (Dave's cell: 734-516-6055) if you know of anyone interested.

Andrey and Anjelica...need a chance...need a family.

Last year, several host families didn't adopt but their children went to other families with only days remaining in the hosting program.  In each situation, the children have or will be adopted by non-host families.  Spread the word ASAP for these two.

Our adoption agency, European Childrens Adoption Services had their annual picnic a few days before the children's arrival.  It was a beautiful day.  The party's hosts have a beautiful home and property with pool and pool house.  ECAS brought in a bouncy house, face painters and balloon sculpturist. The food was great and it was wonderful to see a good size crowd including those we knew in our "Class of 2010" hosting and then adoption.  The kids had an awesome time.  We haven't seen some since Ukraine like the Moores, Dilners, Landrys.  We also saw the Allens who adopted from Russia.  

It was also great to see the Boehrs again.  They came for 4th of July and we were there a few days earlier than the picnic to celebrate their son Nathan's (Ilya) 11th birthday.  That was a good time of pizza, salad, cake 'n' ice cream as well as laughing, talking and birthday celebration. 

Next stop...August 12th weekend after Lucas's Showtime performance was to the lake.  Great weekend of all things water...swimmin', tubin', pontoonin', and fishin'.  We also had great meals and hanging out. 

Last weekend, we stayed home.  Jason and I got new glasses.  Also,  PTL for a good report on both boys at the dentist.  This is particularly for Jason awesome since dental care in the Ukraine is marginal. We were also glad to hear the two teeth he's losing were baby teeth not permanent ones.

That's the scoop for now. Will try to do better on pictures.  We're great on bringing the camera with us buuutttt...no so good at remembering to shoot pictures ;-D  LOL  



Sunday, July 17, 2011 sLIceS of LiFE 2

Well...a couple weekends have passed by since our last blog.  We are actually minutes away from picking up our Chinese Student, Bob (13 y/o) being dropped off at Woodcrest Church as a part of a Cultural Exchange program for their month long visit in America.  He's with us for 10 days...full house with a rich blend of culture...all good.

Two weekends  ago, Lucas and I had a Cub Scout Camping Weekend at Camp Akela in Cannon Falls.  We went last year and had a blast...ditto this year although I heard "i'm bored" for a couple hours Saturday afternoon before swimming...after a great hour of swimming, we were both GTG again. 

                                            Dad and Lucas at BB Gun Range

Our Pack (455) had about 30 parents and kids with our Den of Bears having six.  Lucas loves everything water (swimming, canoeing, row boatin') as well as everything camp fire (skits, s'mores, etc.).  This was a District run camp.  They have volunteer and hired Boy Scouts and Adventure Scouts completely running everything including cafeteria-provided meals, campsite set up, assigned Den Chiefs to our Pack and all really cool activities on a rotation schedule throughout Saturday-Sunday.

We got to go to the barn/farm, nature activity, BB guns, Archery, Swimming twice, earned a whittliing chip and whittled a race car out of a bar of soap, had shop where we learned tools and Lucas made a very nice tool box, canoeing, ballistics (catapaults and slingshotted tennis balls 150 yds plus), campfires, skits by staff and back at the Pack campfire too.  How can one get bore?  Tired...yes.  A little bitten by bugs...yes.  Smelly and dirty...for sure...

Rockin' 'n' rollin' in your tent as an early Sunday morning thunderstorm with howling winds came through...oh yeah! Bored, no way,  Lucas said, "Dad, I hear other kids cryin."  I said I could understand...the storm was BIG.  Lucas was a little scared and so was I.  I had the tent tied down good, prayed and we just relaxed to ttry to sleep again. We did get a little water.  The rain came down so hard with the blowing wind the canvas couldn't repel it quick enough.

On the other side of the family, Jeanne and Jason spent time and even ended up in Cannon Falls Saturday at the brand new coliseum to see cousins Rachael and Alex barrel race...very cool!

During the week, Jason continues to go to summer school and Lucas started a 2 week summer camp at the Egan H.S. called, "Summer Stage."  Lucas went to SS last year too.  Music, singing, dance and of course, acting alll taught by a quality and experienced group of young people as teachers. They both have checked out the sprinkler park in AV and books/videos at the Rosemount Library.  They like the library.  They also love biking.

This past weekend we headed to Grandma Jan's cabin...even Sadie.  It was a hot 'n' humid one but not too bad at the lake with its breezes and a shaded cabin.  Boys immediately went into the water.  I walked Sadie but the early evening horse fly population along the road in the woods was too much...we cut it short and had a much better early morning walk. 

Uncle Tony was up and so was Cousin Mike and his sweetheart Lindsay...with their new German Lab puppy--Reagan.  Jeanne and I took on the job of taking most all the branches from all the trees fallen from the July 4th weeknd storm (F3 tornado) to the street for chippin' by the township.  Hard, sweaty work but we're glad to do our share along with the hardworkin' crew (Tony, Joel, Zuzeks, Thoresons) of the 4th weekend.  I couldn't imagine what they faced and their hard effort in cutting down trees, cutting them up, stacking and piling branches. The drive from Grantsburg on was amazing as far as all the fallen trees and that's 2 weeks after the storm.

The boys had great time in the water playing and dad even swam "laps" with Lucas, wrestled and threw them both around for a couple hours.  Saturday was topped off with tubing in Uncle T's boat and pontooning with mom, Lindsey and Mike, who got the thang started and running well...thank you , Mike!.  Mike also taught Jason to use his fly fishin' pole to cast and Jason was excited to catch his 1st fish with a pole (did so before usin' a net).  After the after-dinner pontoon ride, he spent the rest of the evening on the dock fishin' while we got the fire on the beach goin'. Kids were toast at bedtime as were Jeanne and I. But we unwound by staying up some more with family.

Sunday we headed home early to go to the Eagan Community Theater's "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Coat."  One of Lucas's teachers from Summer Stage was "Joseph" a 20 y/o kid who had an amazing voice as well as solid acting.  Lucas's cousin Jake and friend Katie were also in the choir.  A great performance by all and we all enjoyed it.

GTG...our student Bob and 53 other Chinese students arrived late but should be at the church about 10 pm.

Thursday, July 7, 2001_sLICeS of aMEriCAnA or why doesn't this blog write itself

Well...thee ol' blog machine has certainly slowed since the adoption is now complete.  However, life is goin' on... It's been six weeks since Jeanne and Jason have returned.  We are blessed to be a family, are bonding as one and in the throes of adjustment as a new family.

We are enjoying life from hide 'n' seek in the backyard, selling toys to make some money, to birthdays & Fathers day to family and holiday gatherings at home and at the lake...sLiCEs of LifE.

Here's an update from Memorial Day Weekend through Independence Day Weekend...here's THE LIST of "slices":

• Visiting and BBQ at the St.Louis Park Ritzman's (Dean,, Nan & our nephew Case...also 3 dogs including their newest TV star dog featured on KARE 11-"Puff").  Great hangin' out. Case is high on the COOL scale.  Jason continually asks, "when we go see Casey?" Case was awesome playing, skate boarding, BMX-ing and hangin' out with Lucas and Jason.
• Visiting and celebrating (on the Bour side...Jeanne's fam) our niece Brianne and her new husband Nathans's marriage to one another at a reception 4 months post-wedding at her parents house.  Great weather, food and company.  Boys had a great time playing with cousins, uncles and aunts...especially wrestling with cousin Jon and Aunt Cindy's "Art Class" as we called it (for the boys) when she set silver plated plastic silverware on fire...kinda like sparklers...ooh, shiney!
• Went to the lake for Fathers day and Lucas's family birthday.  Just our family and Uncle Tony.  We had a great time in the water, firepit, lawn mowin' and ridin' the waves at 30+ mph with Uncle Tony and Dad takin' turns with the boys.  We love the cabin life!!!
• Then, Lucas, Jason, 8 other friends and us had a wonderful time partying and celebrating Lucas's Birthday at Farmington Lanes.  Everyone of the kids was so edifying of Lucas and encouraging of one another as they bowled, ate pizza and cake, and then, opened gifts.  We were so proud of these children at what total joy and freedom they had with both fun and respect. One of the best birthdays.  Happy Birthday, Buddy! We love you!
• Family (Zuzek-Bour) Annual Golf outing and Party.  Thank you Grandma Jan for watching the boys as we golfed.  Truly enjoyed the golfing and adult time before the family party.  Thanks Johnny Z. for hosting an outstanding family event again.  The boys had a great time again with all their cousins and rocket launching in the front yard and trampoline in the back.
• Independence Day Weekend was one of the best ever.  We received Jason's certificate of U.S. citizenship on that Friday...how appropriate.  We stayed in the cities because we wanted him to experience the celebration of his new country's birthday and freedom.  Friday, friends (uncle) Bill and (aunt) Pam invited us all for a delicious dinner at their house.  Their son Ryan, a Soph at KU, made the boys feel real special as they ate together.  As adults, we got quality time and the boys got surround sound premium audio & video on a 92 inch screen for a viewing of "Descipcable Me"...way to go Uncle Bill!!! Saturday, our friends in the adoption process, The Boehrs, came over for a BBQ and fun. They brought their 5 children including Jason's friend, Nathan, adopted from the same orphanage and returned home together on the same flight.  Wonderful time! Below, the kids are eating on the sport court.

• On Sunday, Jeanne took me to Alexis Bailley Winery for goodies and jazz for my birthday while GREAT Aunt Jackie took the boys to see "Mr. Popper's Penguins."  Thank you Sweetie for a great gift of time with you in an awsome setting. As a family, Jeanne and the boys surpised me later with cards and gifts as did our neighbors the Wahowskes.  We then all loaded up in the car and headed to Bloomington for fireworks...they were fantastic!  Monday (4th)...to the Apple Valley Parade...Fly- over of WWII War Birds, great bands, floats, queens, military presence, clowns, Shriners and only a couple politicians (perfect)...everything that made for an enjoyable 4th of July celebration and then to our neighbors pool for a swim...thanks Mike and Heidi!  The boys love all things water...pools, lakes, sprinklers, sprinkler parks in AV as well as MN Zoo  and Cascade Bay WaterPark.

That's, for the most part, all caught up.  Boys are biking a lot. Jason loves summer school which is helping him further immerse in language and culture.  Our church rocks! Twins have a shot. And summer weather is finally here.

We have more to blog...hopefully in a sooner timeframe than last.

June 19, 2011 Prayer for Jason's Friends

From the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine: June 15, 2011, alert: Ukrainian Family Code Amendments and temporary suspension on adoptions to take effect on July 11, 2011

The Ukrainian State Department on Adoptions (SDA) informed the US Embassy this morning that beginning July 11 SDA will no longer have the authority to process adoption cases. This will likely result in a temporary suspension of adoptions from Ukraine. The Ministry of Social Policy will take over as the new adoption authority in Ukraine, but does not yet have Cabinet approval to create a staff and begin processing cases. The Ministry does not yet know when they will be able to resume adoption processing. The amendments to the Ukrainian Family Code mentioned in the previous adoption alert will also go into effect on July 11.

We will ask the Ukrainian government to resume adoptions as quickly as possible. We will also continue to encourage the Ministry of Social Policy to protect adoptions where U.S. prospective
adoptive parents have already been approved by the SDA to adopt a particular child.

If you are so inclined please pray. This immediately effects 3 children in Jason's orphanage and already in the process of adoption, plus at least 4 in other orphanages already intended for adoption - all by MN families. In addition, 7 more children were to be hosted this summer.

Every child needs to be adopted.

Luke 1:37 For with God nothing will be impossible.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Ten days since we last blogged. School was out Thursday.  Visit to Ritzmans-St. Louis Park last weekend...we'll highlight in a family edition blog with highlights of tomorrow's wedding reception on Jeanne's side of the family.  The past two weeks both boys had track 'n' field day, talent shows and other school ending events.  Lots of bike riding and some skate boarding too. They both loved school.
Now summer...ahhh! A transition in a transition...whoo-hoo!

All good...just like going to Cafe Raisa's tonight with cousin Rachael who's staying the night with us.  For two days Jason says, "Ded, we go to Russian cafe...pleeeeease?"  I say let me talk to mom (thinkin' why not).  So, on a lunch time walk with the dog, our neighbor Julie Bergom gives us a beautiful card from her, her husband Jeff and family. They really encouraged and blessed us.  And...inside was a gift card from...Cafe Raisa!!!

We took Jason last summer and last winter and the food is good and the service is excellent.  We were greeted by a young woman as American as can be...and Jason starts speaking to her in Russian.  She was blown away and took interest in our family right away. She is Victoria  aka Tori.  Her parents are Russian and she came here when she was 5 y/o...now going off to college next year.  A great server helping all of us through the menu.

We learned that her mom heads a language school for children wanting to learn Russian at Apple Valley Baptist Church. And then learn her father is Pastor of a Russian congregation...and they have a summer camp.  Very cool! It's so nice to have this support so close to home.

Another photo of the boys, Tori and the owner Raisa. 

The meals come and we all ate well...even Jeanne and her non-Russian meal...a Reuben...however, I believe it does have Russian dressing.  Jason had a huge bowl of Bortsch which we all sampled...very good and 2 huge cabbage rolls.  He ate a lot but we did bring a roll home as did Rachael and Lucas bring home some of there dumplings. Jeanne and I took no prisoners...sorry Sadie...not that you get any people food anyways.

We all came home (full) and the boys biked and skateboarded in the rain for awhile before coming in for snack and bed. "Great day in the 'hood!"

Monday, May 30, 2011- A Boundaries and Waters Weekend!

It was Jason's first full weekend together as a family over Memorial Day Weekend.  First, thank you all who have directly served in our branches of the military or have family members who have or are serving our country in this way.

Our Blog Post title may give the impression we canoed and camped this weekend...well, we didn't.  The title really reflects, in part, boundaries in the sense of helping Jason to establish new and healthy ones in our family.  Not that he didn't have healthy ones before but they were totally different because he lived in an orphanage and without a family.  He lived according to orphanage rules and expectations as well as using his own innate abilities to survive emotionally and mentally. 

He now lives with a family who'll be his family forever...he's in that uphill climb of trusting that we won't abandon him no matter what.  It's legal and now and becoming real for Jason as well as us collectively as family.  After a successful and much enjoyed week of school, this weekend we continued communicating and establishing boundaries in the smallest of ways as to convey to Jason he's safe, loved and belongs.  

The other part or theme of the weekend, on a lighter note, was "water."

Along with the picture above, Lucas and Jason really enjoyed the rain after school Friday. It was a blessing to let them fully clothed go run and play in the rain and no holding back.  They laughed and enjoyed each other and the freedom to get completely soaked...with parents smiling the entire time.

Saturday morning we all headed up north to the cabin to spend the day with Grandma Jan as well as some aunts, uncles and cousins.  The boys helped a bit in picking up sticks while older cousins and adults did leaves and put the dock and pontoon in.  Beautiful day of sun and 70 degree weather.  The water was a little cool but no worries...Jason and Lucas were swimming, fishing with cousin Alex and paddle boating,

They also rode bikes and generally hung out in the water most of the day with the exception of a couple great meals.

Monday was Water Park of America...more water!  Yay!!  the day looked gloomy at first with a threat of rain.  Since Jeanne and Jason never made the hydropark in Kyiv, so why not here.  What a great time! Everyone's first time in fact.  From slides, lazy rivers, body tubes and kickboard "surfing" as well as general water park fun.  A good way to spend the day...bonding and creating further attachment, a critical need for adopted orphan children.  We are blessed of the Lord for His wisdom and resources.  We were blessed also to have a weekend of great attachment opportunities with "boundaries and waters."